New 1,200-room Hotel on Tap at McCormick; Existing Hyatt Hotel's $110 Million Facelift Completed Summer 2013

February 18, 2013

Chicago’s McCormick Place already has one hotel, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which is on track for a $110 million upgrade to be unveiled in the summer, but now the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority-owned venue also will have a new 1,200 room anchor hotel attached to the building.

The new hotel will be connected by skybridge to McCormick’s West Building and, besides the new rooms, there will be a 400-seat restaurant and a grand and junior Ballroom.

“Building a headquarters hotel connected to McCormick Place is a major step in taking Chicago’s convention and meeting business to the next level,” said Jim Reilly, MPEA’s CEO.

He added, “Hundreds of additional nearby hotel rooms will strengthen our competitive edge and attract new business to Chicago. The hotel also will be a catalyst for revitalizing the convention center’s neighborhood.”

The new headquarters hotel is projected to attract approximately 15 new mid-market events per year to McCormick Place, generating roughly 80,000 additional attendees, according to MPEA officials.

"Increased visitation to Chicago delivers immediate value for the city's overall economic development efforts," said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.

He added, “… As we work to further strengthen our position among our key competitors, this new property, coupled with the Hyatt McCormick Place renovation and expansion provides our sales team with the critical elements necessary to deliver a comprehensive package to customers.”

The number of hotel rooms within walking distance from the convention center will be doubled, especially with the opening of the Hyatt Regency’s new, 460-room tower in addition to the hotel’s current 800 rooms, also owned by MPEA.

“We look forward to the completion of the renovation and showcasing our new transformation,” said Paul Daly, general manager, Hyatt Regency.

He added, “Our state-of-the-art services and amenities, combined with even more guestroom availability directly connected to the nation’s largest convention center will allow Hyatt Regency McCormick Place to play an even larger role in both attracting and hosting Chicago’s top meetings and conventions.”

The Hyatt Regency is in Phases Two and Three of a three-part renovation and construction project that began in December 2011. There also will be theaddition of three new boardrooms and a new business center. 

The three phases include the 460 additional rooms, as well as a renovation of the existing rooms, the conference center, lobby and other key areas.

“We are eagerly anticipating the completion of the second tower and the existing hotel renovation this summer,” Reilly said.

He added, “The addition of on-site tower along with the newly renovated existing hotel will not only enhance the McCormick Place experience but also goes a long way toward drawing more trade show and meetings business to Chicago.”

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.